Abstract

We have previously shown that female DBA/2 mice are significantly more resistant to Leishmania mexicana compared with males. Here, we have analyzed the effect of 17β-estradiol (E2) on function and cytokine production in male and female DBA/2 macrophages in vitro. We show that E2 increases NO production and parasite killing in L. mexicana-infected male and female DBA/2 macrophages without increasing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These data indicate that E2 may enhance leishmanicidal activity in macrophages by directly regulating production of NO.